Although admitting to be very slow to accept this way of retirement living, even after arriving here, I have concluded that this facility comes closest to resembling residents’ former lifestyles, if one can ignore the fact that every single one of our neighbours is old. This was the most difficult aspect of retirement residence living for me since coming here, and the one aspect that I wish I could change.
Christie Gardens has built such a sterling reputation that it now has a long waiting list of clients wishing to live here. Most striking is the fact that it has astutely tuned into, and capitalized on the yearning of old people to have a “home-away-from-home”. Unlike other residences, it adopted an innovative approach to elder care. Its efficient, unobtrusive administration leadership team has carefully chosen and trained a small army of support staff who pull out all the stops to care for residents. They seem so delighted and satisfied to be in their jobs. And what is perhaps unique to this place is the fact that Admin to a large extent stays in the background and lets the residents come alive to “run the show”. It willingly gives the Residents’ Association the encouragement and opportunity to raise funds in order to create and operate a host of resident-led activities and programs. The result is clearly inspiring, whether it’s a Choir, Drama Club, Resident Newsletter, Card-making Group, Orchestra, French class, Parkinson’s Support Group, Tree-planting Initiative, Dance Class, Indigenous Awareness Group, or Garden Club. And the list keeps changing and evolving as new people arrive.
Its modern apartments (both rental and life-leases), with fully-equipped kitchens, are safe and secure, while allowing residents the option of cooking their own meals if and when they desire to do so. Dining services are available for extended times each meal. Residents may choose their meal mates at each sitting, dine alone, or with friends. They may choose to have a meal delivered to their apartments, get a take-out dinner from the store, or have a light meal in the café.
Modern, fully-equipped apartments are appealing, but many elders who opt for retirement residences arrive alone, after losing their lifelong partners. To help fill this void, Christie Gardens allows pet lovers to bring their beloved cats. As one ages it is often longtime pets that make life worthwhile as they grow old together. To my utter delight, I learned that my two cats, Dallas and Diamond, could continue to be part of my life. There is no way that I would have moved here without them.
The administration does its part to add a little pizzaz and enjoyment to the days, by providing floor tea parties, birthday luncheons, outings, spirit days, social hours, and holiday treats. It sponsors annually an Intergenerational University Course where U of T students and volunteer residents take the class in-house. What a treat to see young people walking the halls of the elderly one morning a week for 12 weeks each Autumn.
Residents in its apartments who eventually may require specialized care can access its long-term care facility, (exclusive to them) to receive round-the-clock care. Those who need financial assistance are helped by Christie Gardens’ Foundation.
Upon entering this world for the first time, residents gradually learn to their surprise that they have entered a “village in a building”, where more services are at their fingertips than in many real villages. They soon discover the medical centre, hearing aid clinic, physio centre, fitness classes, and gym. Outdoor spaces with comfortable seating, and nearby parks lure people outside during nice weather. They can access a small grocery store, café, hair salon, laundry facilities, and attractive lounge areas on each floor, and have newspapers and prescription drugs delivered right to their door. Cleaning services are available to all who wish them.
No one wants to get old. But we all do if we live long enough. The average lifespan is expected to be 90 by 2050. No doubt retirement residences will evolve and improve as time goes by, to become more like Christie Gardens, where residents are learning to make it a “home away from home” as they age. My only wish is that the retirement residences of the future can evolve to become intergenerational places for old people to live. That would make me totally in favour of this lifestyle, and exceedingly happy. Meanwhile, transforming the Tiddlywink Model (entertain me as I recline in my hotel lobby armchair) to one that more closely resembles a “home away from home” model where residents are engaged in living a meaningful existence, is beginning to capture people’s attention.
